Water temperature controller

ABSTRACT

A water temperature controller includes a first body with a first connecting portion, and a second body with a second connecting portion. The connecting portions are slidably connected in a longitudinal direction. The first connecting portion may be at least partially disposed within the second connecting portion. An O-ring may be provided between the connecting portions. The first and/or second body may be made of plastic.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0123828, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Nov. 30, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a water temperature controller.

(b) Description of the Related Art

Generally, coolant for cooling a vehicle engine is supplied to a water jacket in the engine. A water temperature controller (WTC) controls flow of the coolant and is attached to the cylinder head. The WTC is typically made of aluminum, because aluminum is strong enough to withstand vibrations from the cylinder head, but aluminum is expensive.

Plastic WTCs have been considered, but the thickness must be twice that of aluminum to provide the required amount of strength, which increases weight, cost, and size.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A water temperature controller includes a first body with a first connecting portion, and a second body with a second connecting portion. The connecting portions are slidably connected in a longitudinal direction.

The first connecting portion may be at least partially disposed within the second connecting portion. An O-ring may be provided between the connecting portions. The first and/or second body may be made of plastic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a water temperature controller of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of portion C of FIG. 1.

Description of Reference Numerals Indicating Primary Elements in the Drawings

100: WTC 110: first body 115: first connecting portion 120: O-ring insert portion 130: O-ring 150: first body 155: second connecting portion

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A water temperature controller 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a first body 110 and a second body 150. The first and second bodies 110, 150 include a first connecting portion 115 and a second connecting portion 155, respectively. The first connecting portion 115 is interior to the second connecting portion 155. An O-ring 130 is provided in an O-ring insert portion 120 in the connecting portions 115, 155.

The connecting portions 115, 155 absorb vibration from a cylinder head (not shown). That is, when vibrations are delivered in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 2, the connecting portions 115, 155 slide with respect to one another, so the vibrations are not transferred between them.

The O-ring 130 may prevent coolant from leaking, and may help absorb the vibrations.

The WTC can be thin, and does not have to be very strong. Thus, the first body 110 and/or the second body 150 may be made of plastic.

While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A water temperature controller comprising: at least one cylinder head; a first body comprising a first connecting portion; and a second body comprising a second connecting portion; wherein at least one of the first body and the second body is connected to the cylinder head, and wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are slidably connected to one another in a longitudinal direction.
 2. The water temperature controller of claim 1, wherein the first connecting portion is at least partially disposed within the second connecting portion.
 3. The water temperature controller of claim 2, further comprising an O-ring disposed between the connecting portions.
 4. The water temperature controller of claim 1, wherein the first body comprises plastic.
 5. The water temperature controller of claim 1, wherein the second body comprises plastic.
 6. The water temperature controller of claim 1, wherein the first and second bodies comprise plastic.
 7. The water temperature controller of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second bodies further comprises a flange configured for connection to the cylinder head.
 8. The water temperature controller of claim 7, further comprising bolts for connecting the flanges to the cylinder head.
 9. The water temperature controller of claim 1, wherein the first and second body are configured to connect to one another to allow sliding engagement whereby vibration from the cylinder head is absorbed.
 10. The water temperature controller of claim 1, wherein the at least one cylinder head includes first and a second cylinder heads, wherein the first body is connected to the first cylinder head and the second body is connected to the second cylinder head.
 11. A water temperature controller for cooling an engine, the engine comprising at least one cylinder head, the water temperature controller comprising: a first body comprising a first connecting portion; and a second body comprising a second connecting portion; wherein at least one of the first body and the second body includes a flange configured for connecting to the respective body to a cylinder head, further wherein the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are slidably connected to one another in a longitudinal direction to absorb vibration of the cylinder head.
 12. The water temperature controller of claim 11, wherein the first connecting portion is at least partially disposed within the second connecting portion.
 13. The water temperature controller of claim 12, further comprising an O-ring disposed between the connecting portions.
 14. The water temperature controller of claim 11, wherein the first body comprises plastic.
 15. The water temperature controller of claim 11, wherein the second body comprises plastic.
 16. The water temperature controller of claim 11, wherein the first and second bodies are formed of plastic.
 17. The water temperature controller of claim 11, wherein the at least one cylinder head includes first and a second cylinder heads, wherein the first body is configured for connection to the first cylinder head and the second body is configured for connection to the second cylinder head. 